July Roll Call... Where is Everybody???

 
                               






Well,  it's been a minute since some of us have checked in.  I know getting skinny is a time consuming project, but let's not forget where we started from and what got us through that pre-op period when we thought the big day would never come.

Show some love to your OH family and check in with us every now and then so we'll know you're still alive out there.



                                                   


So, how much have you lost? Or where are you in the pre-op process?

Any new and exciting news in your life?

Anything you need we can help you with?

Any updated photos to share?


                             

Well, my 1 year surgiversary is coming up next week.  OMG I can't believe it's been a WHOLE YEAR.

I remember when I first found OH back in 2006. I desperately wanted wls, but to my dismay I found my insurance with state of GA excluded it under any cir****tance.  I searched the board gleaning for any glimmer of hope that there was some kind of loophole that would allow me to have wls, but to no avail, it was a lost cause. 

By a fluke, or stroke of luck, or BLESSING, I happened to call Cigna during open enrollment in November 2008 and the customer service rep,  out of the blue told me the HRA  and High Deductible plans would begin to cover wls in 2009.  So, I switched plans, got active on OH again, and life has not been the same since...   I never knew why God led that lady to tell me about the wls insurance coverage because I was calling about something totally different and never mentioned wls to her. Maybe they had me flagged as fat or something??? I do know if she hadn't I likely would not have known I had the option, and would still be fat and miserable now, and never would have visited OH again.


So, I've lost between 145 & 150 now depending on the day of the week, and I am very pleased with my progress.  FINALLY my DS weight loss has slowed down to a snails pace, and I am very happy with that.  I worried so much I would get too thin, and be malnourished and look like a chemo patient.  I am a prefect size 12, down from a 26-28.  I look at myself in the mirror every day and I am amazed at ME. 

I am still working with my support group in Stockbridge, and looking forward to it growing more. I have been so blessed to meet so many wonderful, beautiful, talented, sexy, witty, funny, loving, caring, intelligent, successful, divalicious ladies through OH.  I guess as a support leader I am supposed to be helping every one else, but it really is a blessing to me to have my OH family. I get more support from my OH family than from my real family.  Nobody can relate to some of the wls stuff you go through unless they experience it for themselves. 

I have decided to go back to school.  I have done all the financial aid stuff and submitted applications, and requested transcripts and all that good stuff, so I guess it's official. It's something I've wanted to do like  forever, but losing the weight seems to make me feel more empowered to step out and follow my dreams.   I'm debating on a degree in Nutrition or Healthcare Management.   Can you imagine a DS'er dietician?.... Oh,  the irony!

 If the school thing doesn't work out I've decided I'll either post myself on Craigslist as a mail-order bride, or open an adult entertainment club for men who have a fettish for skinny women with stretch marks and jiggly tummies. I'll be the headliner of course.  Let's just pray I do well with school. 


My son graduated from high school last week, after completing a class in summer school. Thanks to my hard earned $370 and a lot of nagging!  
I feel like I'm kinda at a crossroads in my life. Like,  OK what am I supposed to do now???  I turned 35 earlier this month, I've succeeded in being a single mom to a difficult to raise male child and have fulfilled my legal parenting obligations, I've lost this weight, so what's behind door #3 ???

I have all this energy, desire,  and ambition, but I'm not quite sure which direction to channel it? Did I mention I am WAY anal retentive and I absolutely HATE not having everything in life planned down to the most minute detail.  So not having a clue what do do with my life is driving me crazy!

I didn't lose any hair with my DS, but surely having a premature midlife crisis will make up for what the DS spared. 

Surely there must be another clueless overachiever out there that can relate. It is so disconcerting being an imperfect perfectionist.  DO THEY MAKE A PILL FOR THAT?



                                                                                   THEN
That was not even my highest weight. I can't believe I was ever THAT BIG! I filled up a double person lounge chair by myself!
   
 
                                                                  NOW!!!

          

What milestones you have reached LaShelle!!!  I am always so impressed with any adult that decides to further their education.  That is a huge leap and a huge commitment and most of all............something that you are doing for YOURSELF.  You are such a success story and such wonderful support to the rest of us on the Georgia OH board.

Today is day 4 of my two week liquid diet.  It certainly has not been easy, but I am hanging in there.  The biggest surprise for me has been that I really have not been STARVING - - - the protein shakes/drinks seem to keep me filled pretty well.  My toughest time of day is at dinner time.  I want to continue to sit with my family at dinner because that is one of the few times that we are all together.  It is sooooooo hard to smell their dinner and watch them eat it.  Fortunately, my husband cooks their dinner while I am on this diet - - - so that helps.  The first day or two I noticed I ALMOST grabbed a bite of whatever was cooking at the time -- - out of habit, then caught myself.  I even had a dream that I accidently ate something not on the diet list and was all upset when I realized afterwards!

Our twin boys are 16 (17 in November) and are pretty good boys.  They seem to have reached another level of maturity over the last few months, which is GREAT!  My husband and boys have been supportive of my choice to undergo WLS.  My husband will be going with me to the pre-op testing this Wednesday and then the surgery is scheduled for Aug 5.

 Andrea I can't imagine doing a 2 week liquid diet, then 2 weeks of liquid post op too!!!  

Girl, I'll be praying for you.   Have you tried blending egg drop soup? I love it my 2 weeks post op.  It was savory.  I also loved the Campbell's chicken and mushroom soup.  Hated the cream of chicken, and hated the cream of mushroom, but the chicken and mushroom blend was yummy.  I got tired of all those sweet protein drinks. 


If you get absolutely ravenous and HAVE to eat something cheat with a green salad and fat free vinaigrette dressing.   It'll be easier for your body to get rid of and no calories. 

Ok here is my update: MARIA IS IN COMPUTER HELL!!!  My computer was running slow. So I backed everything up on the new portable hard drive I bought. Then I delete everything on it as I do the restore CD. Then.......can no longer print from my wireless printer. Wasted 6 hrs. trying to fix including 2 hrs. on phone with tech support with Mr. Patel! Oh wait..........it gets better............

So then went to Best Buy to get new laptop on sale. Yay! New laptop. I'm back in business! Or so I thought..........

Now I need all the files on my old computer so I get my new external HD that has only been used once or twice. I plug it into my new laptop.......and I wait. And I wait............ And I wait...........

Guess what? I now have 1.5 T's of NOTHING! That's right NOTHING! My NEW HD does NOT work!

So there we have it..........COMPUTER HELL!

Maria will now go back to bed and pretend this day didn't happen!

I am so sorry Maria. I have been there and done that. I feel your pain!

So, how much have you lost?  As of yesterday I have lost 100 pounds!

Any new and exciting news in your life? Daughter graduated high school and will be going to college in the fall. I am adjusting to my new body and looking forward to having my batwings removed. Maybe next summer. I have so much energy and feel so good, my only regret is that I could'nt do this 20 years ago. Hubby is jealous as I am smaller now than I was when we met 30 years ago! He said " You're looking so young, I may have to dye my hair so I won't look like your father."

Anything you need we can help you with? Just keep doing what you are doing by being there. It is nice to know there is a place for "us" to go and ask questions with the expectation of getting an honest answer.

Any updated photos to share? Maybe when I lose the last 20 pounds.

 Any updated photos to share? Maybe when I lose the last 20 pounds


That is so not fair!  If I could post that before pic, I KNOW you can give us an update shot lol...

Ok, Ok, LaShelle. I'll think about it.

Thanks CC. And congrats on those 100 lbs.!